Hello.
Sorry if this is a bit long but I have an appointment with a Consultant Urologist at Southmead Hospital in Bristol next week and want to make sure that I ask the right questions and make the best use of this appointment.
To cut the long story short I was born with horseshoe kidneys. I am 67 next month and they have never given me any trouble until now.
About a year ago I started having frequent UTIs. Eventually a GP thought I might have kidney stone and referred me to a urologist. He referred me to someone else who agreed to surgically remove the stone but said he wanted me to have a cystoscopy first.
So 2 or 3 weeks later I went to a local hospital to have this done.
The procedure was unable to be completed because I have urethral stenosis.
The consultant who had originally agreed to operate then referred me to someone else in Cheltenham.
I saw a urologist in Cheltenham in June.
He said the stone was about 27 mm in lower pole of kidney and was very difficult to get to.
He did however accept that I was by now in a lot of pain and he had to do something.
He suggested doing a laparoscopic transperitoneal pyelolithotomy as he thought keyhole surgery would be too risky to the liver.
He suggestd this could be a joint case with a urologist from Bristol.
He contacted the urologist in Bristol who looked at the scan and thought the stone was accessible through keyhole surgery. (PCNL)
The urologist at Cheltenham then rang me and advised me to go to the urologist in Bristol.
To be honest, I really don't care who operates any more as long as somebody does it.
These are the questions I am asking at Bristol.
If any one can give me any more information on what to expect I would be extremely grateful.
How likely is it you can do keyhole surgery?
If you get me into theatre and find you cannot do this are you going to do the bigger operation and if so will you do that straight away or will this be a joint case with with Mr Henderson at Cheltenham?
I understand I will be in hospital for 2 or 3 days and have a drain in my kidney. Is that right?
Is the drain like a stent?
If so when will the stent come out?
Is it relevant that the cystoscopy was unable to be completed because of urethral stenosis?
Is it at all possible that you might have to remove the kidney?
When can you do this operation?
I live on my own but have a warden on call. Will I be able to come straight home after my stay in hospital?
If anyone can think of anything else i should be asking please let me know.
Thank you for being patient with me and reading all this.
Good health to you all.
Sarah